Standard Lemma guide

exert

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American: /ɪɡˈzɝt/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɪɡˈzɜːt/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)t
  • CMU ARPABET: IH0 G Z ER1 T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make use of, to apply, especially of something nonmaterial; to bring to bear.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • He considered exerting his influence on John to gain an advantage for himself.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: exercise, utilize, assert, operate

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To put in vigorous action.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: reflexive

Examples

  • I exerted myself in today's training.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: extend

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

put to use

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • exert one's power or influence

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: exercise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ

4

verb

Meaning 4

have and exercise

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • wield power and authority

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: wield, maintain

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: have, have got, hold

5

verb

Meaning 5

make a great effort at a mental or physical task

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • exert oneself

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: act, move

Narrower terms: overexert

History

Etymology

From Latin exsertus, past participle of exserō (“to stretch or thrust forth or out”), from ex- + serō (“to string together”).

Across languages

Translations

35 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: напря́гам (naprjágam) — to put in vigorous action
  • Chinese Mandarin: 尽力 — to put in vigorous action
  • Danish: anstrenge — to put in vigorous action
  • Danish: udøve — to put in vigorous action
  • Dutch: inspannen — to put in vigorous action
  • Finnish: paneutua — to put in vigorous action
  • Finnish: ponnistaa — to put in vigorous action
  • Finnish: ponnistella — to put in vigorous action
  • French: exercer — to put in vigorous action
  • Galician: esforzar — to put in vigorous action
  • German: anstrengen — to put in vigorous action
  • Greek: ασκώ (askó) — to put in vigorous action
  • Italian: sforzare — to put in vigorous action
  • Māori: whakawhēnanau — to put in vigorous action
  • Māori: whakatīeke — to put in vigorous action
  • Māori: whakarīrā — to put in vigorous action
  • Polish: wytężać — to put in vigorous action
  • Polish: wytężyć — to put in vigorous action
  • Portuguese: esforçar — to put in vigorous action
  • Romanian: forța — to put in vigorous action
  • Spanish: esforzar — to put in vigorous action
  • Swedish: anstränga — to put in vigorous action
  • Swedish: ta i — to put in vigorous action
  • Tocharian B: lāl- — to put in vigorous action
  • Bulgarian: упражня́вам (upražnjávam) — to make use of
  • Chinese Mandarin: 施加 (shījiā) — to make use of
  • Dutch: uitoefenen — to make use of
  • Finnish: käyttää — to make use of
  • German: ausüben — to make use of
  • Greek: μεταχειρίζομαι (metacheirízomai) — to make use of
  • Italian: esercitare — to make use of
  • Japanese: 行使する (kōshi suru) — to make use of
  • Portuguese: aplicar — to make use of
  • Romanian: exercita — to make use of
  • Spanish: ejercer — to make use of